Arum wants Donaire to fight in Pacquiao undercard

By Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing stars Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire may fight in the same card later this year, in an event that will likely be held at the Cotai Arena in Macau.

This, as both fighters are coming off solid victories wherein they both won championships. Pacquiao on April gained his revenge against American Timothy Bradley Jr. to regain his WBO welterweight belt, while last weekend, Donaire dethroned South Africa's Simpiwe Vetyeka to become the new WBA featherweight champion.

A rematch between Donaire and Vetyeka was discussed immediately after the fight, as the 12-round encounter was cut short due to a cut above the Filipino boxer's left eye.

Donaire won a unanimous technical decision, but said he was willing to give Vetyeka another shot.

Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, who promotes both Donaire and Pacquiao, said that they will be considering the rematch.

"We can see what we can work out," Arum said. "I'd like to, maybe on Manny's card."

"But then I want to make sure that we work something where ABS-CBN can show Nonito's fight if they can't show Manny's," the promoter added. "So we'll work that out."

Pacquiao is scheduled to return to the ring on November, although they have yet to name an opponent.

There are very real roadblocks to the dream Pacquiao-Donaire double-header however, with the two fighters locked in contracts on separate networks in the Philippines.

Donaire, for his part, wants to give himself time to heal the deep cut above his eye before returning to the ring.

"There's a possibility for (an) October (fight)," he said, saying that the cut will take three months to heal completely. "By a month, mawawala na ito, but it's more of the inside na kailangan i-heal."

When asked about the possibility of fighting on the undercard of a Pacquiao event, Donaire seemed open to the idea.